Dental implants are a long-term replacement that look and feel like your natural teeth. When properly cared for, they can last a lifetime.
Your periodontist will work with you to ensure your restorations fit seamlessly into your smile and mouth. They have the experience, knowledge and tools to help you get beautiful replacement teeth that function properly.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are titanium metal tooth replacements that provide a permanent solution to missing teeth. They look and feel like natural teeth, and they preserve your jaw bone health to prevent complications from missing or displaced teeth.
They also help restore your appearance, self-esteem, and chewing functions. Our oral surgeons place and repair dental implant dentist birmingham al in patients of all ages.
During implant surgery, your dentist will make a small cut in your gum tissue to expose the bone. Then, they will screw a metal post into the bone. You will need to recover for a few weeks while the bone grows around the implant and solidifies it.
Once you heal, your doctor will attach a connector piece to the implant called an abutment. They can then put either removable or fixed replacement teeth on top of the abutment.
How are Dental Implants Placed?
The dental implant process can take several months, so it is important for patients to prepare for the surgery ahead of time. They should brush twice a day and floss once to ensure their teeth and gums are healthy. Additionally, they should rest the night before their procedure to help them feel calm and relaxed.
During dental implant placement, anesthesia is administered to ensure the patient is comfortable and pain-free. Once the area is numb, the surgeon makes a small incision in the gum tissue to expose the jawbone. A specialized drill is then used to create a hole in the bone where the implant will be placed.
A titanium screw is inserted into the hole. The bone reacts with the implant as another part of the body and grows around it, a process called osseointegration. After the implant is secure, a healing cap or collar is attached to it.
How Long Will Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants are long-term restorations that allow patients to eat a healthy variety of foods, regain confidence in their smiles and restore their self-esteem. They also help to preserve bone in the jaw where the roots of natural teeth would otherwise deteriorate, causing adjacent teeth to shift into the gap and leading to further complications.
Implants consist of a metal body inserted into the jawbone, an attachment referred to as an abutment and a crown that serves as an artificial tooth. Typically, the implant dentist birmingham al body can last a lifetime and is not susceptible to decay, but the abutment and the crown may require regular maintenance.
Patients can prolong the lifespan of their dental implants by brushing and flossing regularly and visiting their dentist and hygienist for routine check-ups. They should also refrain from clenching and grinding their teeth as this can damage the abutment and surrounding teeth. Additionally, patients should not smoke as this can affect healing and cause inflammation of the gums.
Are Dental Implants Painful?
If you have missing or damaged teeth, dental implants are a great solution. They replace your missing tooth roots, stimulating your jawbone to prevent it from deteriorating and supporting restorations that replace the teeth above the gum line. Traditional bridges and dentures don’t have root support, so your jawbone in the gap can deteriorate and cause adjacent teeth to migrate into the gap, creating additional problems.
Dental implant surgery is typically pain-free. Your oral surgeon will administer anesthesia and/or sedation to ensure you don’t feel any discomfort during the procedure.
You may feel pain after the anesthesia wears off, but this is typically mild to moderate and can be controlled with over-the-counter or prescription pain medication. It’s also important to follow the post-surgery guidelines provided by your dentist, including rinsing with salt water and eating soft foods. Any persistent or sharp pain that doesn’t go away within a week should be reviewed by your dentist or oral surgeon.
Are Dental Implants Affordable?
The overall dental implant cost depends on many factors, including your location and whether you have insurance that covers some or all of the procedure. Other factors include the number of implants needed and any preparatory procedures (such as a bone graft) that are required.
An initial consultation with a skilled dentist will help you better understand the process and what to expect. In addition to a thorough evaluation of your teeth and jaw, the dentist will learn more about why you want to replace your teeth and create a comprehensive treatment plan.
Some dental insurance plans cover some or all of the implant dentist birmingham al costs, and medical coverage may also be available to pay for certain parts of the procedure. Additionally, many dental practices offer flexible payment plans to make these expensive yet highly effective tooth replacement treatments more affordable for their patients. These options allow you to replace your missing teeth with natural-looking and feeling restorations that are designed to last a lifetime.
Are Dental Implants Right for Me?
Implants have several advantages over other tooth replacement options. They are anchored to your bone, which stimulates it and prevents the deterioration that occurs in the gap when a tooth is missing for too long. They also help keep your bite in balance and can prevent neighboring teeth from shifting into the empty space. They look very natural and don’t require shaving down healthy adjacent teeth for support, like traditional dental bridges.
Good candidates for dental implants are adults who have healthy gums and sufficient jawbone density. They should not have any serious medical conditions that could interfere with healing, such as uncontrolled diabetes or cancer treatment. Smokers may not qualify for implants, as smoking decreases the success rate of implant surgery.
Some insurance plans cover the cost of dental implants or may provide coverage for pre-procedure treatments such as a bone graft. Third-party financing companies also offer low interest rates and flexible repayment terms to make implants more affordable.
